15 Arise
An enormous surge in mana caused the atmosphere to completely change again.
{System notice}
{Mana reserves have reached the first condition. Several abilities have been unsealed.}
What? Before I could even get a grip on things, system notices popped up everywhere.
{Player Arthur Leywin, LVL ???}
{Job Shadow Monarch}
{Titles}
{Demon Hunter, (and 2 others)}
{Abilities}
{Quicksilver LV.1, Bloodlust [sealed], Stealth [sealed], Dagger Throw [sealed], Mutilate [sealed], Shadow Extraction LV.1, Shadow Save LV.1, Shadow Exchange [sealed], Domain of the Monarch [sealed], Ruler's Authority [sealed]}
{Passive skills}
{??? [sealed], Kandiaru's blessing LV.1, Advanced Dagger Arts [sealed], Perseverance LV.1, Swordsmanship LV.1, Master of mana LV.1, Lightning LV.1}
I looked down at my stat window and realised, that two essential skills had unsealed. 'Shadow Extraction' and 'Shadow Save'.
Is this destiny?
"YOU WANT THIS TO HAPPEN?" Enraged, I threw my voice out there, trying to reach anyone responsible.
I wasn't sure yet, who I held responsible, but the rage that encompasses my heart guided me into a familiar direction.
...
[Arthur's monologue 3rd POV]
Arthur stood over Sylvia, emitting such an enormous pressure, that it might have killed someone if they didn't watch out.
"Sylvia." The volume of his voice lowered again, but in no way were the words weak.
"Sylvia, my friend. It seems you have some unfinished business." Arthur's voice sounded powerful and determined.
"I won't let you leave this easily. And I definitely won't banish you to eternal rest."
The aura in the room was still fluctuating, with shadows forming around Arthur's body.
"I felt the desperation in your eyes, Sylvia."
"Do you want to return, and help me get rid of the problem? Together."
The atmosphere around Arthur grew darker and darker.
"If so, I ask of you, that you keep me company from now onwards. So that I will never be alone again..."
The final word was accompanied by a surge of energy.
"Arise."
...
[Arthur's POV]
A familiar sight blessed my eyes. It was the sight, of a shadow arising from the depths.
A strong shadow. A strong friend.
Sylvia emerged as a shadow. Her appearance completely changed. She was now a shadow dragon, with a purple light even. She's strong. Her main characteristic returned as well. The shadow was lined with golden veins, that shined even brighter than before.
Sylvia looked powerful and amazing. The purple-gold distinguished her from every shadow, he had ever extracted.
I took a step forward as I laid my hand on her head. She was already lowering her head towards me and I spoke.
"We'll be able to converse very soon Sylvia. Thank you for trusting me."
An undeniable fact was, that none of the shadows in my previous life ever crossed over to my side willingly. Except for one other. Igris. Igris, after I somehow convinced him to, also followed me of his own volition.
Sylvia was even more accepting. It seems like she wants to make use of the second chance I'm offering her.
The atmosphere calmed down again.
I will need some time to work out what happened here. I'm still not in the right state of mind, but the knowledge that Sylvia was still by my side calmed me down quite a bit.
Even if she was now a shadow, Sylvia was still my friend. And as long as I grow stronger, I will be able to once again talk to my friend.
"I promise you Sylvia. This is only the beginning..."
Even as a shadow, she carried a slight smile, that gave me peace of mind.
Sylvia returned to my shadow, and I now stood alone in the cave.
...
By absorbing mana from Sylvia, I fulfilled the requirements to unseal several of my abilities and passive skills.
So, 'Quicksilver', 'Shadow Save', 'Shadow Extraction', 'Kandiaru's blessing' and 'Perseverance' have returned. It seems like their levels have been reset. That's not too much of an issue though. I can easily level them up again!
I took a look at the status window for 'Shadow Save'. I wanted to know how many shadows I could save for now. I was sure that every shadow I saved in my previous life was gone, and that I will need to build up a new shadow army. That's why, what I saw next, shocked me.
{Shadow Save}
{No mana required}
{Allows the player to absorb created shadow soldiers and save them. Saved soldiers can be summoned and reabsorbed wherever and whenever the player desires.}
{Saved shadows 2/20}
2?! Wait, what if... one of my shadows survived my reincarnation?
Which one is it? And why is he still saved within me?
"Come forth." I called upon the soldier.
{System notice}
{The selected shadow soldier is currently unable to be called upon}
What? It doesn't work?
'Unable'? Does that mean I need to level up?
Whoever it is, if any of my shadows from the past survived, it is an enormous gain for me.
I need to be patient. Let's see where this goes.
...
I left the cave I called home for the last month. It was a a place filled with beautiful as well as horrible memories.
I took a final look back.
"Time to move on."
"Come forth."
Sylvia materialised next to me, looking at me with her powerful and gentle eyes.
I smiled at her.
"Let's go home."
I jumped on her back and she immediately lifted off.
"Do you know which direction to head towards?"
Sylvia's answer was simple, she adjusted the course and headed towards the horizon.
Seems like she knows where to go.
Xyrus City... Mom, Dad... I'm coming home...
